AMERICAN hip hop act De La Soul have cancelled their planned appearance at this summer's Stockton Weekender.

Despite confirming their appearance at the summer event only last week, festival organisers Tees Music Alliance (TMA) have now been told by the band’s UK agent that they will not be in this country in time to play.

The agent said the problem was a result of a rearranged schedule in the USA, which will delay the band's travelling to the UK for the gig on July 27.

A spokesman for the Stockton Weekender said on the event's website today that the trio - known for hits including Magic Number and Me, Myself & I - were disappointed to miss the event.

They will also miss two other English festivals, although the spokesman said they hoped to return to play those affected events another year.

The spokesman added: “We're really disappointed by the news - and it's not the way we like to operate - but this kind of situation is beyond our control.

“But chins up, we still have amazing headliners, Primal Scream and Dexys Midnight Runners, and we'll have some more top acts to announce shortly.”

De La Soul were formed in 1987 in New York and are best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of jazz rap and alternative hip hop music.

The trio are universally recognised for changing the landscape of hip-hop.

Their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, shot the band to fame and has been called “a hip hop masterpiece”.

Organisers of Stockton Weekender said they would be working hard to replace the band with another top quality act to support Primal Scream.

Although the line-up of the festival can be subject to change, as a goodwill gesture, anyone who has bought tickets specifically to see De La Soul (Saturday only tickets bought between February 22-26) can request a full refund.